Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors aged 60 and older. A choice of meals is offered three days each week – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays – at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested. You must call Karen Stark at 518-937-5963 by 10 a.m. the day before you plan on attending. She needs 24-hour advance notice to ensure enough meals are provided for everyone.
Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo with prizes is played the third Friday of each month. Activities following lunch include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. On Mondays, many participants make hats from looms to donate to various causes. See how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations.
Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Feb. 7, choices are mac & cheese and stewed tomatoes, egg-salad sandwich and butternut squash soup, and baked fish and potatoes;
— Monday, Feb. 10, choices are chicken cacciatore and vegetables, and baked fish with potatoes;
— Tuesday, Feb. 11, choices are cheeseburger and potatoes, ham and swiss cheese sandwich and vegetable barley soup, and baked fish and potatoes; and
— Friday, Feb. 14, choices are shrimp scampi and spinach, and baked chicken and potatoes.
Services
Catholic Charities Senior & Caregivers Support Services is available every second Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to provide assistance to family caregivers during their journey of caring for older adult loved ones living at home. Services and information on respite options, counseling, support groups, next steps, and much more are available.
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Legal Assistance
A lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer must contact Karen Stark at 518-937-5963 to make an appointment.
Hours are already booked for February and March with one opening left for an April appointment. Next availability for appointments will occur in May. Appointments must be made in advance; no walk-ins will be accepted.
Location:
Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days each week — Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays — at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one will ever be refused a meal for lack of a donation. However, you must call Karen Stark at 518-937-5963 by 10 a.m. the day before you plan on attending. She needs 24-hour advance notice to ensure enough meals are provided for everyone.
Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Jan. 31, Choice A: Lasagna roll-ups with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, dinner salad, whole wheat bread and mandarin oranges. Choice B: Seafood-salad sandwich on a whole wheat roll with lettuce and tomato, apple juice and mandarin oranges. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, dinner salad, whole wheat bread and mandarin oranges;
— Monday, Feb. 3, Choice A: Lemon-garlic fish, mashed butternut squash, spinach, whole wheat bread and tapioca pudding. Choice B: Baked chicken, mashed butternut squash, spinach, whole wheat bread and tapioca pudding;
— Tuesday, Feb. 4, (February birthdays celebration) Choice A: Meatloaf with tomato gravy, seasoned oven-roasted potatoes, cauliflower, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake. Choice B: Chef salad with muenster cheese, turkey and hard-boiled egg, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake. Choice C: Baked fish, seasoned oven-roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake; and
— Friday, Feb. 7, Choice A: Mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie. Choice B: Egg-salad sandwich on a whole wheat bun with lettuce and tomato, butternut squash soup, blended fruit juice and brownie. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie.
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Legal assistance
A lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer must contact Karen Stark at 518-937-5963 to make an appointment.
Hours are already booked for February and March with one opening left for an April appointment. Next availability for appointments will occur in May. Appointments must be made in advance; no walk-ins will be accepted.
The Doctor Is In
The Albany County Department for Aging is offering a new program for seniors 60 and older called The Doctor Is In. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy welcomes Dr. Michael Marmulstein, M.D., a cardiology specialist, who will present “Cardiovascular Disease & You!” for anyone living with or who has a family member living with cardiovascular disease. Come to the Bethlehem Town Library at 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar on Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Location:
Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days each week – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays – at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month.
You can choose from two or three lunch options. Simply call Karen Stark 24 hours in advance at 518-937-5963 to reserve your lunch choice. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Jan. 24, Choice A: Potato-crunch fish, seasoned oven-roasted potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread and lemon cake with frosting. Choice B: Egg-salad sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, cream of potato soup, grape juice and lemon cake with frosting. Choice C: Baked chicken, seasoned oven-roasted potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread and lemon cake with frosting;
— Monday, Jan. 27, Choice A: Mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread and sugar cookie. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread and sugar cookie;
— Tuesday, Jan. 28, Choice A: Pork roast with gravy, seasoned oven-roasted sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, whole wheat bread and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping. Choice B: Chicken curry salad on a bed of lettuce, pasta broccoli salad, whole wheat bread and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping. Choice C: Baked fish, seasoned oven-roasted sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, whole wheat bread and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping; and
— Friday, Jan. 31, Choice A: Lasagna roll-ups with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, dinner salad, whole wheat bread and mandarin oranges. Choice B: Seafood salad sandwich on a whole wheat roll with lettuce and tomato, apple juice and mandarin oranges. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, dinner salad, whole wheat bread and mandarin oranges.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one is ever refused a meal for lack of a donation. Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Legal assistance
A lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer must contact Karen Stark at 518-937-5963 to make an appointment.
Hours are already booked for February and March; next availability for appointments is in April. Appointments must be made in advance; no walk-ins will be accepted.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Location:
Happy New Year to everyone!
We gathered at the Senior and Community Access Center for our monthly meeting where there was much chatter on the beautiful weather we are having. We (more than 60 of us) all found our favorite seats and the meeting began with our guest speakers.
First we received an update from Mat Harris, our liaison with the Berne Town Board. Then Kathy Stemple from the Berne Library and Debbie Scott from the Westerlo Library both talked about new things at their libraries.
We talked about our upcoming trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in May. Thanks to all who signed up, our trip is now full.
Then we look forward to some day trips that were announced and the flyers will be available at our next meeting. There is still room on our New England/Canada Cruise in September, so you can still sign up as we would love to have you join us!
We sang birthday greetings to Bernice Bunzey who turned 96 and will send her the video with many of us doing our Senior Wave!
Next month, we will be receiving nominations for offices and look forward to the slate of officers.
Until next month — Be kind!
Location:
Helderberg
Looking for a change of pace in your lunchtime routine? Come and join your fellow seniors for the lunch program offered by Helderberg Senior Services. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days a week — Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays — at the Town of Berne Community and Senior Services Center at 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month.
You can choose from two or three lunch options. Simply call Karen Stark 24 hours in advance at 518-937-5963 to reserve your lunch choice. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Jan. 3 – Choice A: Grilled muenster cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, tomato soup, coleslaw with carrots, apple juice and brownie. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, coleslaw with carrots, apple juice, whole wheat bread and brownie;
— Monday, Jan. 6 – Choice A: Chili con carne, corn bread, spinach and apple crisp. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, corn bread, spinach and apple crisp;
— Tuesday, Jan. 7 – (January birthdays celebration) Choice A: Baked fish with lemon-herb sauce, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, grape juice, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake. Choice B: Chicken salad plate on a bed of lettuce, spinach salad with carrots and tomatoes, grape juice, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake. Choice C: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, grape juice, whole wheat bread, applesauce and birthday cake; and
— Friday, Jan. 10 – Choice A: Baked ziti (meatless) with parmesan cheese and tomato sauce, Italian-blend vegetables, whole wheat bread, pears and chocolate pudding. Choice B: Ham and swiss cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, tomato soup, pineapple-orange juice and chocolate pudding. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, Italian-blend vegetables, whole wheat bread, pears and chocolate pudding.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m.. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one is ever refused a meal for lack of a donation. Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Legal help
A lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community and Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer should plan on coming to the Center on Monday, Jan. 13.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Location:
Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days each week — Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays — at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month.
You can choose from two or three lunch options. Simply call Karen Stark 24 hours in advance at 518-937-5963 to reserve your lunch choice. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Dec. 27, Choice A: Mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie. Choice B: Egg-salad sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, butternut squash soup and brownie. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie;
— Monday, Dec. 30, Choice A: Chicken cacciatore over noodles, California-blend vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll and vanilla pudding. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, California-blend vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll and vanilla pudding;
— Tuesday, Dec.31, Closed for the New Year holiday; and
— Friday, Jan. 3, Choice A: Grilled muenster cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, tomato soup, coleslaw with carrots, apple juice and brownie. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, coleslaw with carrots, apple juice, whole wheat bread and brownie.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one is ever refused a meal for lack of a donation. Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
Activities
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Legal help
Beginning in January, a lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer should plan on coming to the Center on Monday, January 13.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Location:
Helderberg
Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days each week – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays – at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month.
You can choose from two or three lunch options. Simply call Karen Stark 24 hours in advance at 518-937-5963 to reserve your lunch choice. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Dec. 20, (Bingo will be played after lunch.) Choice A: Two lasagna roll-ups with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, whole wheat bread, dinner salad and mandarin oranges. Choice B: Seafood-salad sandwich on whole wheat roll with lettuce and tomato, apple juice and mandarin oranges. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, whole wheat bread, dinner salad and mandarin oranges;
— Monday, Dec. 23 – Choice A: Lemon-garlic fish, mashed butternut squash, spinach, whole wheat dinner roll and tapioca pudding. Choice B: Baked chicken, mashed butternut squash, spinach, whole wheat dinner roll and tapioca pudding;
— Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Closed for the Christmas holiday;and
— Friday, Dec. 27 – Choice A: Mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie. Choice B: Egg-salad sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, butternut squash soup and a brownie. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, blended fruit juice, whole wheat bread and brownie.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one is ever refused a meal for lack of a donation. Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Legal help
Beginning in January, a lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer should plan on coming to the Center on Monday, January 13.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.
Location:
Hilltowns
On Saturday, over 80 members met at the Hilltown Community Senior Center for our monthly meeting followed by our Christmas party. The tables looked so pretty with the red-and-green theme.
They were adorned with miniature stockings that held sweet treats from the Helderberg Family and Community Organization. Thanks so much!
We heard reports. Jane Snyder spoke on Hilltown Healthcare, and we heard about travel plans for some of our Hilltown members. We are planning a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania from May 19 to 21, and then in September, we’re off on a nine-day cruise in New England and Canada.
If you are interested in either, we do have openings. Just contact Shirley Slingerland or Janet Adams for information.
Then we celebrated numerous birthdays and a couple of anniversaries — congrats to Doug and Connie Skinner on 50 years of wedded bliss!
Then we decided it was time for some Christmas fun, and so it began — with the Hilltown Walker Dancers (what a hoot) and then they sang us a song about the candy cane. What a treat that was!
Then we did our gift exchange where you just wondered: What would be in your gift-wrapped package? We had many laughs over that since all we had to work on were letters and we tried to imagine what that person wanted. An “M,” the person wanted money and got a monkey. Lol.
Then we had a wonderful lunch provided by our own chef. We are so blessed!
Merry Christmas and we Hilltown Seniors will see you next year.
Location:
Hilltowns
This is an update before our meeting on Saturday: Remember to bring your gift for our exchange.
We are blessed to have our lunch catered, so there is no need to bring a dish to pass. Table settings will be provided as well.
Excitement is in the air about talk of entertainment provided by some of our own members — you’ll love it!
So just come on Saturday and enjoy the holiday season, which is upon us — Ho! Ho! Ho!
Location:
Helderberg
Helderberg Senior Services, the lunch program for seniors, offers Tai Chi classes on Tuesdays. The class is free to those aged 60 and older. (A modest donation may be requested but is never required.) Classes are taught by Eric McCandless.
This week, Tai Chi will also be offered on Friday, Dec. 13.
Tai Chi’s slow, continuous whole-body movements can help ease pain and stiffness, and improve balance, thereby decreasing the risk of falling.
To register for this popular class, call Karen Stark at 518-937-5963. If you wish to stay for lunch after the class, Karen must know 24 hours in advance. Classes start at 10:30 a.m. and conclude by 11:30 a.m. Participants are urged to arrive by 10:20 a.m. so classes may start on time.
Legal help
Beginning in January, a lawyer from Albany Legal Aid will be at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center every second Monday of the month. Any seniors with questions or concerns that may be addressed by a lawyer should plan on coming to the Center on Monday, Jan. 13.
Lunch program
Helderberg Senior Services offers a lunch program for seniors. Everyone aged 60 and older is welcome. A choice of meals is offered three days each week – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays – at the Town of Berne Community & Senior Services Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail in Berne.
We celebrate monthly birthdays on the first Tuesday of each month, and bingo is played the third Friday of each month.
You can choose from two or three lunch options. Simply call Karen Stark 24 hours in advance at 518-937-5963 to reserve your lunch choice. Upcoming menus:
— Friday, Dec. 13, Choice A: Potato-crunch fish, seasoned oven-roasted potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread and lemon cake with frosting. Choice B: Egg-salad sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, cream of potato soup, grape juice and lemon cake with frosting. Choice C: Baked chicken, seasoned oven-roasted potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread and lemon cake with frosting;
— Monday, Dec. 16, Choice A: Mac & cheese, stewed tomatoes, tropical fruit, whole wheat dinner roll and sugar cookie. Choice B: Baked fish, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, tropical fruit, whole wheat dinner roll and sugar cookie;
— Tuesday, Dec. 17, Choice A: Pork roast with gravy, seasoned oven-roasted sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, whole wheat dinner roll and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping. Choice B: Chicken curry salad on a bed of lettuce, pasta broccoli salad, whole wheat dinner roll and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping. Choice C: Baked fish, seasoned oven-roasted sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, whole wheat dinner roll and sliced apples with cinnamon and whipped topping; and
— Friday, Dec. 20, (Bingo will be played after lunch.) Choice A: Two lasagna roll-ups with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, whole wheat bread, dinner salad and mandarin oranges. Choice B: Seafood-salad sandwich on whole wheat roll with lettuce and tomato, apple juice and mandarin oranges. Choice C: Baked fish, potatoes, whole wheat bread, dinner salad and mandarin oranges.
Meals are served at noon and doors open at 11 a.m. A $3 donation is suggested, but it is not mandatory. No one is ever refused a meal for lack of a donation. Join us for a tasty, nutritious lunch and stay for crafts and activities if you wish to participate. It’s healthy and fun to socialize with your peers!
Some of the activities you can partake in include Mexican Train, card games and puzzles. Bingo is played every third Friday of the month and prizes are awarded to the winners.
On Mondays, many participants are making hats from a loom to donate to various causes. Come and learn how easy and fun it is to make these beautiful, useful creations. On Tuesdays and Fridays, enjoy playing Mexican Train and other games following lunch.
Services
Individuals of any age can receive assistance each Tuesday at the Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eileen Bosworth from Albany County can assist with programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and other county programs. Mike Green from the Albany County Veterans is available to assist veterans with obtaining hearing aids, glasses and general veteran services.